The Pacha of Many Tales eBook

As I stated to your highness last evening when I broke
off my narrative, I was in the highest favour with
the sultan, who made me his confidant. He had
often mentioned to me the distinguished services of
a young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitan
pacha, to combat in the north against a barbarous
nation called Sclavonians, or Russians. My curiosity
was raised to see this Rustam of a warrior, for his
exploits and unvaried success were constantly the theme
of the sultan’s encomiums. A Georgian slave,
who had been the favourite previous to my arrival,
and who had never forgiven my supplanting her, had
been sent to him by the sultan as a compliment; and
this rare distinction had been conferred upon him
on the day when I requested leave to remain behind
the screen in the hall of the divan, that I might behold
this celebrated and distinguished person. He
was indeed a splendid figure, and his face was equally
perfect. He formed, in outward appearance, all
that I could imagine of a hero. As I looked at
him from behind the screen, he turned his head from
me, and I beheld, to my surprise, the red stain on
his neck, which told me, at once, that I had found
my long-lost brother. Delighted at the rencontre,
I retired as soon as the audience was over, and the
sultan came to my apartment; I told him the discovery
which I had made. The sultan appeared pleased
at the information: and the next day sending
for my brother, he asked him a few questions relative
to his lineage and former life, which corroborated
my story, and, loading him with fresh honours, he
dismissed him. I was delighted that, in finding
my brother, I had found one who was not unworthy of
the sultan’s regard, and I considered it a most
fortunate circumstance; but how blind are mortals!
My brother was the cause of my disgrace and eternal
separation from the sultan. I mentioned to your
highness that the Georgian slave, who had preceded
me in the sultan’s favour, had been sent as a
present to my brother. This woman, although she
had always appeared fond of me, was, in fact, my most
bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever,
and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over
my brother. Yet she loved him not; she had but
one feeling to gratify, which was revenge on me.
My brother had so often led the troops to victory,
that he had acquired an unbounded sway over them.
Stimulated by their suggestions, and his own ambition,
which like mine, was boundless, he was at last induced
to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning
him, and reigning in his stead. To his new wife,
the Georgian, he had intrusted his plans; and she
resolved to regain the favour of the sultan and accomplish
my ruin, by making me a party, and then communicating
to him the treason which was in agitation. She
proposed to my brother that he should inform me of
his intentions, alleging, that in all probability
I would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan;
and at all events, if I did not join, my interest